Clover’s XV sweep Blues in Marseille with humiliating bonus… Relive the Six Nations tournament match
Three and a half months after a terrible World Cup quarter-final disappointment at home to South Africa, the French XV returned to competition on Friday 2 February. Against Ireland, the Blues never saw the light of day and conceded five tries in a heavy 17–38 loss. Clover’s XV depart with a humiliating bonus point before hosting Italy on 11 February. France travel to Scotland on February 10 (3:15 pm).
Disorganized and outdated XV of France
Taken by the entry throat by a very disciplined Clover XV, the Blues only existed in sequence for their entry into the tournament. Inaccurate in transmission, clumsy in contact and hesitant on high balls, the French were dominated in engagements by the Irish.
Damien Penaud and Paul Gabriellegs had their tries, but the Irish extinguished the fire with a try immediately each time, especially with the very good Gibson-Park and McCarthy.
Willem sees red
He was relieved minutes earlier when his yellow card for a tackle on the face did not turn into a red. It didn’t last long. A repeat offender for the same foul, Paul Willemsen was sent off in the 32nd minute, leaving his teammates on 14 for 45 minutes.
The second row, who missed the World Cup through injury, doomed the Blues’ chances with his overcommitment. At 14, Fabian Galthy’s men were not unqualified but logically conceded at the end of the match.
Antoine Dupont, the absence is already visible
There is a French XV with and without Antoine Dupont. If his replacement Maxime Luku has a CV that speaks in his favour, Dupont’s ability to play under pressure and his vision for the game were sorely lacking on Friday.
Up front, young Jack Crowley, who was trying to forget the retired Jonathan Sexton, produced a clean score in a perfectly coordinated concert by the Irish.
